Comparison of the Accuracy of PCR with Laboratory Data and CT Scan in COVID-۱۹ Patients: A Systematic Review

Backgrounds: COVID-۱۹ is a newly emerged pandemic. Therefore, a review of diagnostic techniques could be helpful for community health policymakers. The diagnosis of COVID-۱۹ is of high importance and it is required to decrease the false-positive or false-negative results. Diverse diagnostic methods differ in this regard. Consequently, the purpose of this systematic review was to compare the accuracy of polymerase chain reaction(PCR) with laboratory data and computerized tomography(CT) scan in COVID-۱۹. Methods: We searched the databases of EMBASE, MEDLINE, Scopus, ProQuest, Web of Science, and Google Scholar for the papers published before ۳ April ۲۰۲۰. According to the inclusion criteria, ۲۰ of ۸۵۹ primary studies, were finally evaluated. Results: The findings demonstrated that the detection of viral nucleic acid in the laboratory may be accompanied by false-negative results. Therefore, serological tests for virus-specific IgG and IgM antibodies should be considered as an additional diagnostic method. Furthermore, chest CT scan was more sensitive than reverse transcription-PCR(RT-PCR) with a sensitivity of ۹۸% versus ۷۱%. Consequently, different studies suggested the combination of chest CT, SARS-CoV-۲ RT-PCR, and multiplex PCR. Conclusion: Follow-up RT-PCR and chest CT scan are necessary for COVID-۱۹ patients. Moreover, serological tests for IgG and IgM antibodies specific to this virus along with detecting viral nucleic acid might be highly sensitive and provide an accurate diagnosis. In addition, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) could be regarded as a cost-effective technique in epidemic and pandemic conditions, especially in countries with low and middle income.

کلیدواژه ها:

“Accuracy” ، “Laboratory” ، “RT-PCR” ، “COVID-۱۹”